The Philadelphia Flyers made a significant splash at the 2025 NHL Draft, held at L.A. Live's Peacock Theater, by selecting Jack Nesbitt with the 12th overall pick. This move came after the Flyers also drafted Porter Martone sixth overall. To acquire Nesbitt, the Flyers traded their 22nd and 31st overall picks to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Nesbitt, a 6-foot-5, 187-pound center from the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), brings a combination of size, skill, and a strong two-way game to the Flyers' prospect pool. Flyers General Manager Danny Briere highlighted Nesbitt's "size, the grit, the playmaking abilities, the goal scoring," noting the significant strides he made during the second half of the season with Windsor.
Nesbitt himself expressed excitement about being drafted by the Flyers, especially after learning that the team had traded up to select him. He describes his playing style as "a lot of grit, very physical game," adding, "I'll fight if I have to. I'll stick up for my teammates. Play a full 200-foot game. I'll put the puck in the back of the net in big moments. I'm a big centerman and I'm ready to go". Philadelphia president Keith Jones said, "He looks like a Flyer to me".
During the 2024-25 season with the Windsor Spitfires, Nesbitt recorded 64 points (25 goals, 39 assists) in 65 games. He also contributed 10 points (1 goal, 9 assists) in 12 playoff games. His performance earned him a spot on Canada's roster for the 2024 U-18 World Championship, where he tallied five points (2 goals, 3 assists) in six games.
Scouting reports suggest that Nesbitt's strengths lie in his physicality, hockey sense, and positioning in all three zones. He is known for his willingness to go into the corners and retrieve pucks, using his size and reach effectively. While Nesbitt's skating is considered a weakness, his mobility helps compensate. He aims to improve his strength and skating over the next few years.
While some analysts had Nesbitt ranked lower on their draft boards, the Flyers clearly saw significant potential in the young center. Although Nesbitt may still be a couple of years away from making it to the NHL as he needs to add strength and weight, the Flyers believe he has the potential to develop into a special player, possibly a second-line center. It is expected that Nesbitt will return to the OHL for another season to further hone his skills.
